Privacy Policy for TorchX
Effective date: June 18, 2026
Last updated: October 11, 2026
TorchX: Flashlight & SOS (“the App”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) is a flashlight and utility application developed for Android by Ranjit Pahan. This Privacy Policy explains what information the App accesses, collects, and shares, how it is used, and the privacy choices available to you.
1. Overview & Data Minimization
TorchX is designed to provide quick, reliable, and advanced flashlight utility features, including:
- Instant LED torch toggle and variable brightness control (where supported by Android hardware)
- SOS Morse emergency signalling and Strobe flashing
- Text-to-Morse optical transmission
- Screen light with customizable colors and brightness
- Home screen widget and Quick Settings tile integrations
TorchX adheres to the principle of data minimization. You do not need to create an account, log in, or provide any personally identifiable information (such as your name, email address, phone number, contacts, or precise physical location) to use the App.
2. Device Capabilities & Permissions Accessed
To deliver its core features, TorchX requests only the necessary Android device capabilities and permissions:
- Camera / Flashlight Access (
CAMERA, FLASHLIGHT):
Required to operate the physical LED camera flash via the Android Camera2 API. TorchX never captures, stores, or transmits photographs, videos, or camera previews.
- Network Access (
INTERNET, ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE):
Used to load advertisements (unless Premium is active), verify Google Play In-App Purchases, and transmit diagnostic crash reports.
- Google Play Billing (
BILLING):
Used to process the optional “Remove Ads” In-App Purchase securely through Google Play.
- Advertising ID (
com.google.android.gms.permission.AD_ID):
Used on Android 13+ devices by the Google Mobile Ads SDK for ad personalization, frequency capping, and ad fraud detection (subject to user consent).
- Motion Sensors (Accelerometer):
Used strictly when the optional “Shake to Flash” feature is enabled by the user to toggle the flashlight upon physical device movement. Sensor data is processed in real time and is never recorded or transmitted.
- Local Storage / Preferences:
Used via Android SharedPreferences to locally store your app settings (such as selected theme, haptic feedback toggle, auto-off timer, and premium ad-free status).
3. Third-Party Services & Data Collection
To support free use and ensure app reliability, TorchX integrates reputable third-party SDKs provided by Google LLC:
A. Google Mobile Ads (AdMob)
TorchX displays banner, interstitial, and app-open advertisements to support free development.
- Data Collected & Shared: Device or other IDs (such as the Google Advertising ID), IP address (for general country/city estimation), and app interaction data (such as ad views and clicks).
- Purpose: Serving relevant advertisements, measuring ad effectiveness, frequency capping (cooldowns), and fraud detection (protecting against automated/invalid traffic).
- Data Sharing: Ad interaction metrics and device identifiers may be shared with Google and its certified third-party advertising partners and bidding exchanges.
- More Information: Review the Google AdMob Privacy Policy.
B. Google Play In-App Purchases (Google Play Billing)
TorchX offers a one-time In-App Purchase (“Remove Ads”) to permanently disable all advertising.
- Data Handled: All payment transactions are handled directly and securely by Google Play Billing. TorchX does not collect, process, or store any financial information, credit card numbers, or billing addresses.
- Local Verification: When a purchase succeeds, a simple boolean flag (
is_premium_user) is saved locally on your device to immediately and permanently shut down the AdMob SDK and eliminate all ad downloads.
C. Firebase Crashlytics & Firebase Analytics
- Data Collected: Anonymous technical crash logs, stack traces, device hardware details, operating system version, and general usage metrics (e.g., sessions and app opens).
- Purpose: Diagnosing bugs, preventing app crashes, monitoring stability, and understanding general feature adoption.
- Data Sharing: Crash logs and performance diagnostics are collected strictly for the developer’s use and are never sold or shared with external third-party advertisers.
- More Information: Review the Firebase Privacy and Security Documentation.
4. European Privacy & GDPR Compliance (Google UMP)
For users located in the European Economic Area (EEA), the United Kingdom, and Switzerland:
- TorchX utilizes Google’s certified User Messaging Platform (UMP) to present a GDPR consent form before any personalized or non-personalized ads are loaded.
- Advertisements are strictly gated until your privacy choices are registered.
- Right to Modify or Revoke Consent: In compliance with GDPR and Google’s EU User Consent Policy, you can review, modify, or revoke your advertising consent choices at any time directly within the App by navigating to Settings ➔ Ad Privacy Preferences.
Data accessed or collected through TorchX is used exclusively for:
- Providing, maintaining, and improving core flashlight features;
- Saving your local configuration and preferences;
- Serving advertisements in the free tier of the App;
- Verifying and activating the “Remove Ads” Premium purchase;
- Diagnosing technical issues, investigating crashes, and improving stability;
- Preventing fraudulent activity, bot clicks, and unauthorized use.
TorchX does not sell, rent, or trade user personal information to any third party.
6. User Rights & Privacy Controls
You have complete control over your privacy when using TorchX:
- Remove All Ads & Ad Tracking: You can purchase the optional “Remove Ads” feature in the App Drawer or Settings menu. This permanently disables the Google Mobile Ads SDK and stops all ad-related data collection.
- Reset or Delete Advertising ID: You can reset or delete your device’s Google Advertising ID at any time in your Android device settings (Settings ➔ Google ➔ Ads).
- Manage EU/UK Ad Consent: Users in the EEA/UK can update their ad consent choices via Settings ➔ Ad Privacy Preferences.
- Disable Motion Features: “Shake to Flash” can be toggled off at any time in the Settings menu.
- Uninstall: You can uninstall TorchX at any time using standard Android controls, which immediately removes all locally stored preferences.
7. Data Security & Encryption in Transit
All communications between TorchX and third-party services (such as Firebase and Google AdMob) are encrypted in transit using industry-standard Transport Layer Security (TLS/HTTPS). We employ reasonable security practices to safeguard data against unauthorized access, alteration, or disclosure.
8. Children’s Privacy
TorchX is a general-audience utility tool and is not directed to children under 13 years of age (or the relevant age threshold under applicable local law). The App does not knowingly collect personal information from children.
9. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect updates in app features, integrated SDKs, or legal requirements. Any modifications will be posted here with an updated “Last updated” date. Continued use of the App following changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
If you have any questions, feedback, or inquiries regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us: